Compliance with surgical antibiotic prophylaxis at an Australian teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is one practice proven to prevent surgical site infections. Methods: Compliance of SAP choice, timing, and duration with guidelines was assessed utilizing prospectively collected surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance data from January 2008 through September 2010. Results: Antibiotic choice was adequate or optimal in 97% of cardiac and orthopedic joint replacement procedures and 89% of colorectal procedures. In 6% to 8% of surgical procedures, SAP was not administered within 1 hour of the incision. SAP was continued beyond 24 hours in 20% of cardiac operations and 13% of colorectal procedures. Numerous combinations of antibiotics were use..